Ignition system tester



Feb. 7, 1950 FL. STRAUSS mm'rxou SYSTEM TESTER Filed April 3, 1947 ENVENTQR FwdW/cLJf/wfi ATTORN EYS steam-a Feb. -1,- 1950' The invention herein relates to an improved tester for use in electrical transmission systems. More particularly the invention refers to a 'novel testing device for quick and ready use in accurately checking over the ignition system of an automobile to quickly learn where ignition troubles are located.

The improved device herein is also adaptable to be used as a trouble shooter" in the electrical apparatus portion of any internal combustion engme.

A further feature of this invention is the provision of a simple testing device oflight weight and small size and is provided with one or more parts that makes it easy to manipulate parts of the ignition apparatus so that the testing may be done thoroughly and completely. Also the 1 device allows for 1 if any. The device assists in indicating where trouble may be located.

the viewing of the size of spark.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a novel form of coil and cable tester adapted for quick and efiicient use on high tension coils and cables of an ignition system of an internal combustion engine. A still further advantage of the novel tester is that it is very simple of construction, it is easy to manipulate, and it is manufactured in very simple form at comparatively little expense, and the tester is so constructed that it is well insulated so that the user does not get shocked electrically.

An additional feature of this improved tester is that'it is usable to make several satisfactory tests while the engine is idle. Other tests are readily made when the engine is being started, and while running.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the reading of the detailed description of the device and its operation as given below and when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in section of the device, and

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram of an automobile ignition system with the tester connectedtherein.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a tester in which there is provided a body or casing and two electrodes with flexible leads connected thereto and a mechanical means as part of the tester which is used to move parts of the apparatus of the ignition system of an internal combustion engine. This mechanical means may or may not be electrically conducting, but it is desired that. it will be made of material J which extends I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE enemas IGNITION srs'rsm TESTER Frederic L. Strauu,'Woodhaven, N. Y. Application April 3, 1941. Serial No. 739,221 1 Claim. (01.115-183) which will conduct electricity. Preferably, it is not electrically connected to either of the electrodes.

The body or casing l8 of the tester may be of any desired form or shape and be made of any desirable material but is here shown as a relatively long round casing which is preferably made of electrical insulating'material, such as wood or plastic or the like.

Mounted in the casing are the two electrodes 19 and 20 and extending from them are flexible leads 2| and 22 with electrical terminals 23 and 24. It is preferred that the two electrodes l9 and 20 shall be so mounted in the casing If! that they may be moved toward and away from each other. In the construction here shown, the casing is provided with a longitudinal hole 28 through the longer axis of the easing'. The electrode is is assembled in the hole .,and receives an electrical conducting rod or conductor 21 which preferably is screw threaded into electrode l9, as shown in Fig. 1 and thereby holds the electrode firmly in a definite position in the casing. The flexible lead 2i engages the electrical conducting rod or conductor 21, as indicated in dotted lines, and it is desirable to place a rubber insulating boot 28 over this connection. Another insulating boot 29 is mounted on the free end of lead or high tension cable 2! so as to cover the connection between the lead and a gripping 5 terminal 23.

The second electrode 20 is mounted in the other end of the casing l8 in the extension of hole 25 and extends to the outside of the casing l8. Electrode 20 is constructed to be moved back and forth toward electrode iii. The casing i8 is cut away as indicated at 30 so that it is easy to visually see any sparks which jump the gap between ends of the electrodes l9 and 20. It is desired to enlarge the hole 26 at the cut away part 30 as will be clearly noted in Fig. 1. Marks 3! are provided on the edge of the cut away portion 30, or in the interior of the casing I8 so that the distance between electrode l9 and 20 at any time is easily noted. When desired, these marks may have numbers placed beside them so as to indicate units of distance.

Where electrode 20 extends out of the casing i8, it is usually provided with an insulating handle 32 which preferably is positioned to cover the electrical joint of the electrode with the flexible aaoaaaa It is preferred to provide at least a partial rell while the starter is operating, it will denote I sistance to the back and forth movement of faulty starting motor, or a weak or defective electrode 20, and in this instance a shoe It is probattery or bad battery and motor connections, or vided in opening 84 in the c sing A screw possibly the trouble may be found in the engine cap 36 and spring 31 are provided to always urs 5 having too heavy oil and being summed up" the shoe 33 against portion 38 of the electrode 20. from waxes settling out of the oil. It is im- Thus, this electrode will be maintained in any portant to check a motor by operating the starter of its set or predetermined positions but may be so as to determine whether there are loose conmoved to other positions with only a p t l nections. This is very often one of the first and resistance. The portion 38 of the electrode 20 usual troublesin an ignition system. with this is preferably reduced in diameter, or may be proimproved tester these troubles show up" very vided with a channel It in which the shoe 33 uickl extends. This channel or reduced diameter Thereare several tests which are easily made usually is of limited length. as indicated in Flawith the motor running so as to indicate the 1 and thus the h prevents the electrode 20 operations of the ignition coil or the adjustment from being pulled out of the casing l8. between the points or the operation of the spark As noted above, it is e ir d th t is mpr plugs. In making such tests, the terminal 23 of testing device have a mechanical means or eleth te t i nn t t th di t b tor cap so ment, here designated as a prod. for the purpose that the coil will be required to operate through of moving or el c r c y "shorting" some of he go the electrodes it and to rotor 5| which rotates apparatus of the ignition sys em of the nte l on shaft 52 and connects in scheduled order to combustion engine during the making of tests. each of the spark plugs 58. In this manner the- It is :preferred that such a means or element or size of t spark b t th points of the spark p od e m d o h it extends m some plugs will show for each or the spark plugs and convenient part of easing l8. In the preferred 25 it will be easily noted which one of the spark form of structure of the tester herein illustrated. plugs is faulty. If the sparks are all very weak a prod 40 is provided and is mounted on casing then the fault usually resides in the coil of the i8 at one end thereof and prefer ly a the en ignition system. A battery 54 is shown as elecopposite l c de In h m l construction trically connected in the ignition system between of a prod. it is desired to make it of electrical th ignition switch and the ground. conducting material and to screw thread it into It will be appreciated that when the body or the hole 28- In thls instance. he prod 40 and the casing i8 is made of a plastic through which the two electrodes l8 and 2d are mounted in the electrodes is and 20 are visible that it will not lon er axis of the casing it. be necessary to have a cut away portion 30 and This type of e in vi h quite a large the spark then will be viewable through the number of uses in making quick tests of ignition material. In the normal type of tester it is, howsy m o determine What 18 Wrong with the ever, desired that there be a cut away portion so system of an automobile internal. combustion t t t d of th ctrod may b l engine. It has been found this preferred form and d, 1f h- A it 11 be under. of testing device with its prod 40, has been very stood that with the type of cut away portion helpf l in m n quick. 6111018111; and accurate shown in Fig. 1, that there may be a plastic-like tests in automobiles to determine Where ignition or Lucite cover placed over the opening 30. Such trouble resides. Some of these tests will now be a cover may may n t b m d to lide along described. v w the casing ll.

Referrin n w o s- 2 it will be noted that Also, it will be understood that it is possible to the hi h tension lead which normally eliminate one of the flexible leads and have an necks the C011 to the distribumr cap 43, has electrical conducting element extending only 9. been removed and the tester terminal 24 has been Short; distance from the casing 48 or even be inserted in the coil 42 and the electrode 19 of n h t it the tester has been connected to a ground. The us herew h and automobile ignition switch 44 is now closed and prod 40 is employed to move the distributor point arm 46 to move contact 41 away from stationary contact point es. With this condition of the 941- mg the element m an elemma] part the W of thszss slhtt iytfthirtieth: tigen le icsd s i9 afl d ll g ggin -vet; h lor niaj: part of the ignition system thereby ly, a spark should jump between the electrodes ducting the tests which ham already been .i 9 and 20 when so electrically connected and with the spark gap at approximately 10 mm. In the 69 rf 2 in the g g g :2 event no spark shows, the ignition trouble may prove es er s an ed ere may be due to faulty points. If new the prod 40 is be made as desired' I moved so it engages the distributor body 49 and It further Wm be noted that a Simple f the arm 6, a spark should occur as the arm is of low cost manufacture and of small size to 1 "shorted" on to a ground. Therefore, the conallow easy and quick operations under the hood t t or points 41 d 43 would be at fault If of an automobile are added advantages of this no spark occurs under these tests, the trouble improved type tester- It will be further noted resides in either a condenser 50 or the coil 42. that the mechanical means p p rt on of The foregoing tests are usually made first and the tester allows for easy and quick s ing of while the engineis idl various parts of the apparatus while the engine F rthe t sts a e usually m d by operating remains idle. Many of the testers used to check the starter and noting the operations under the ignition systems of automobiles do n p vi e loa of startin th t r. such an advantageous addition and the im- If new the engine is started and a weak or proved device herein has shown itself to be very unsteady spark occurs between electrodes is and 7; helpful and very successful and accurate in aking these various tests and to complete such t various modificaions and changes may be made in the preferred form of the invention herein, and such modifications and changes are to be understood to be as part of this invention, as outlined in the follow- 11 8 claim.

The invention claimed is:

nation of an insulating casing having a hole through its longer short length of said hole enlarged, said casing being cut away for a portion of its perimeter mounted in said hole with one end extending into said enlarged portion and beneath said cut away portion of said casing, a conductor screw threaded into said electrode and extending to the outside of said casing at right angles to said electrode, a flexible high tension lead connected to said conductor, a spring operating clamp connected to the free end of said lead and adapted to engage a part of the apparatus of said ignition system, a second electrode mounted in the hole in said casing and having one end of said electrode .extending into the enlarged part of said casing and beneath said cut away portion, said electrode adapted to be moved to and from the first electrode, markings beneath the. cut away portion of said casing to indicate units of In a tester for an ignition system, the combiaxis, said casing having a distance, said second electrode extending from said casing and having an insulating handle thereon for moving said electrode, a flexible high tension lead connected to the free end of said second electrode and having an electrically conducting terminal at the free end thereof, a part of said electrode within said casing being reduced in diameter for a short distance and forming shoulders at each end of said distance, a shoe mounted in said casing for engaging the reduced diameter portion of said electrode, a spring mounted on the other end of said shoe and being placed under compression whereby said shoe forms a resistance to the movement of said second electrode within said casing, and a metallic prod mounted in the free end of said casing but not in electrical contact with either of said electrodes.

FREDERIC L. STRAUSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENT 

